Gen Z Have Completely Changed What ‘First Base’ Means in Dating
People online are only just realizing that Gen Z have totally changed the meaning of “first base.”
For decades, “first base” was the go-to phrase for a kiss — the classic first step in the so-called bases of dating. It was followed by “second base” (touching above the waist), “third base” (further intimacy), and the “home run.” But that old playbook doesn’t quite fit anymore.
How Gen Z Flipped the Script
In 2025, many members of Gen Z now use “first base” to describe oral sex instead of kissing. The shift started surfacing on social media platforms like TikTok and Reddit, where young daters said the act has become “normal” even after a first date.
TikTok user @laura.lmkk even shared that “our generation thinks bringing flowers is weird, but getting intimate on the first date is normal.”
Relationship expert Annabelle Knight from Lovehoney told Metro this isn’t surprising at all. “Younger people see oral sex as less intimate than before,” she said. “It’s partly due to pop culture, porn, and open conversations about sex online.”
Knight added that sex isn’t as linear anymore: “There’s less focus on ticking off bases, and more on doing what feels right in the moment.”
Why This Change Makes Sense
Fellow sex coach Lucy Rowett wrote for The i Paper that Gen Z are “open-minded and progressive” but also “confused” at times about boundaries. She says this new definition reflects how younger people explore connection more freely — but communication and consent remain key.
The change also fits broader cultural patterns. Studies show Gen Z are having less sex overall compared to previous generations, focusing more on emotional comfort and mutual respect. (Firstpost)
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At the same time, research from InsideHook found that more than half of Gen Zers say they prefer giving oral sex — suggesting intimacy now looks different than before.
A New Rulebook for Intimacy
What once felt like a taboo is now just another expression of connection. Gen Z’s version of “first base” proves that sexual norms evolve with culture — and that openness, honesty, and consent matter far more than labels.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
